Introduction:

Comprehensive management of delirium has components of different kinds, and the role of nursing in it may be unclear.

Objective:

To identify in the literature available non-pharmacological nursing care for children with delirium hospitalized in Pediatric Intensive Care Units.

Materials and Methods:

A strategic search was performed in Web of Science, MEDLINE, Science Direct, Scielo, Virtual Health Library, LILACS, and Open Grey using the terms “nursing care,” “child OR children,” “delirium,” and “Pediatric Intensive Care Unit.” Data extraction and analysis were performed using a matrix.

Results:

Twelve articles were identified that met the inclusion criteria and were classified into four categories according to the main intervention developed in the study: Research approach, comfort interventions, comprehensive interventions, and educational interventions.

Discussion:

Nursing care for delirium includes preventive or curative measures starting from the patient as the center and extending to the patient's environment and family. Nursing interventions may be interrelated in a way that supports and complements each other. Some care activities may be considered an indicator of the quality of care.

Conclusions:

A comprehensive approach to pediatric delirium requires addressing individual, environmental, and structural factors that contribute to its onset. Delirium nursing care is a way to protect and promote children's immediate and future well-being and development.

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